WEB DESK: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Friday that Canada is ready to resume trade negotiations with the United States once Washington is prepared, while emphasizing that his country cannot dictate the trade policies of its southern neighbor.
This statement followed remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday evening, declaring that trade discussions with Canada had ended. Trump’s comments were in response to an Ontario political advertisement referencing Republican icon Ronald Reagan’s caution that tariffs lead to trade wars and economic downturns.
Mark Carney elaborated that Canadian officials have been collaboratively engaging with their American counterparts on detailed discussions concerning specific sectors such as steel, aluminum, and energy. He made these remarks prior to departing Ottawa for his first official visit to Asia, with Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as his destination.
Highlighting Canada’s readiness to build on the progress made so far, Carney also pointed out that his country is focused on exploring new partnerships and opportunities, particularly with the growing economic powers of Asia, which remains a key priority of his trip.
